The big day is here but since I have been watching cruising on Woodward for a week now I don't feel like going there early in the morning as there are many places to see still! First up is the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library. They have the biggest automotive collection in the world!
http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/nahc/
I was concerned about how on earth I ever could leave this place but it was closed, maybe due to the cruise??!!! One day I'll be back!
I decided to take a walk in downtown for a moment before heading back north. Here is the stunning Wayne County courthouse that was close to being demolished in the 1970:s. What were they thinking??
Looking towards the Book-Cadillac entrance;
Pawnshop window in the Motor City;
Comerica Park was quite an impressive sight in downtown...stupid me drove right past the old Tiger Stadium though earlier, don't know how that is possible even if I thought that it has been demolished?
I tend to be a bit more alert in neighborhoods where tireshops don't offer sizes smaller than 24:s in their windows...
1525 Woodward used to be occupied by Chrysler personnel working for the top secret Manhattan Project (a-bomb development) for a period of two years. Chrysler not only built 7 of the 8 B-29 engines that carried the a-bombs to Japan, they also solved many engineering problems in the project;
http://www.allpar.com/history/military/a-bomb.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project
I also wanted to check out the Detroit Historical Museum, they have a lot of automotive goodies inside including a body-drop part of a Cadillac assembly line;
http://www.detroithistorical.org/main/dhm/index.aspx
I'd love to have one of these in triple white with a 500cid Cadillac mill...so sad to see one incomplete forever..but a cool display nevertheless;
There are a ton of old beautiful mansions just along Woodward Avenue;
A lot of stuff to see but so little time. I was off to see the cruise!
It was sad to see that the Vinsetta garage had closed shop after more than 90 years;
http://www.vinsettagarage.com/
I love Imperials;
OK...I want this car!
I guess the USA and Canada are pretty much the only countries in the world with purpose-built fire trucks and specially modified emergency vehicles in general. And the pride that people, who operate these, have is amazing. Every time I see emergency vehicles in the US I want to take photos.
A rare treat, a 1958 Imperial. It always amazes me how rare the Forward Look Chryslers are in the US.
Here's a couple for those late night runs on Woodward, Gratiot or Telegraph;
I don't think that I saw more than three Sweptline era trucks on WDC, this one, the 528 Hemi one that's famous from HRM and a flat black with a big block in Pontiac. What's up dudes, these are cool! Cruise in them!
If some of you wondered why there were lots of people carrying slicks around, this was the reason;
Love the stance on this one;
I wanted to get some Silver Bullet souvenirs and I did, including a diecast with Jimmy Addisons signature! The guy who was selling the stuff told me to talk to Harold Sullivan after the TV crew was done with him. I hung around for awhile and thought that he is probably too busy, no big deal. I was already on the other side of the Chrysler display when Harold comes running concerned about being rude! What the heck? He is a nice guy and invited me to sit in the Silver Bullet! Priceless!
http://www.silverbulletgtx.com/
Another shot by..."Don't you know who I am? I'm Galen Govier!"
Thank you fellas!
Nothing like catching a ride in a boat on a trailer...but wait..it's not connected to anything??? This thing cruised around at a good rate of speed too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9ojh8AJoM
Pontiac fans won't give up;
Detroit - Murder City?
More celebrities, Faith Granger of the Deuce of Spades movie fame seems to cruise everywhere;
http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com/
Who wouldn't love a Gremlin X?
But suddely all hell broke loose, I did take notice way before when the wind picked up speed, it was a bit scary really, my truck was really far and trees started fall on powerlines all over. I have never been so wet in my life;
The police tried to stop the cruising but it continued somewhat later as the conditions improved;
It was also getting dark and besides some last moment cruising I wanted to check out a few places still. On 14 Mile Road and Eton is the site that used to be Ted Spehar's service station. I do not know if the buildings there have anything to do with that but it might be possible?
http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/woodward-aves-silver-bullet-last-words/
A rare bird, a 300G convertible;
One place I definitely wouldn't miss is the Howard Johnson restaurant where the High End Club would meet before the police made them gather at the Civic Center instead. I am not sure if the building on site is the old Howard Johnson restaurant with modifications or not though?
In the Civic Center parking lot, close to I-696 where the racing took place;
Halfway through my trip now, anyone awake still? Lol.
